Google Smart TV Kit Leak Reveals Home Mini, Third-Generation Chromecast Bundle

This past weekend, the third-generation Google Chromecast was leaked on Reddit. Now, Google’s Smart TV Kit bundle has been leaked and it shows that it will include the new Chromecast and the Home Mini.

The new Google Smart TV Kit was first discovered on Reddit by Android Police. It’s being speculated that this new bundle will be replacing the current Chromecast and Home Mini bundle that’s already available exclusively from Walmart. The new Smart TV Kit comes with a packaging that’s very similar to the current bundle, but it includes the unannounced third-generation Google Chromecast.

The current Home Mini and Chromecast bundle at Walmart costs $74. According to Android Authority, it’s very likely that this new Smart TV Kit bundle will cost the same. A leak over the weekend did suggest that the third-generation Chromecast will still carry the same $35 price tag of the second-generation model.

Bundling the two Google products seems to make a lot of sense considering that Google has been adding more visual capabilities to its Google Assistant AI software. Users will be able to ask Google Assistant on the Home Mini to play YouTube videos on their Chromecast-connected TV. Users are also able to ask for weather, news, traffic and other information that can be presented on a TV. No info was given on when this bundle will be available, but it’s possible that it will be a Walmart exclusive.

The third iteration of the Chromecast was leaked this weekend and it looks like Google has given it a slight redesign. The new Chromecast now comes with a matte finish instead of the shiny plastic outer covering that’s on the second-generation model. The Reddit leaker said that the new Chromecast won’t have a magnetic connector on its back, which would have allowed for better cable management.

The new Chromecast still has the same circular shape, but it now comes with Google’s “G” logo instead of the Chrome logo on its outer shell. It still has an HDMI cable for connecting to a TV and a microUSB port for delivering power.

Unfortunately, internal specs for the third-generation Chromecast haven’t been revealed yet. There were previous rumors claiming that the new Chromecast would have upgraded Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. The Reddit leaker also claimed that the new device will require an updated version of the Google Home app in order to be set up. The new Chromecast is believed to go on sale on Oct. 9, the same day that Google will have its Pixel 3 launch event in New York City.